Puffins, Bumblebees or Hedgehogs? Help Choose the Wildlife on Future UK Banknotes

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If you’ve ever wondered what species deserves a place in the nation’s wallet, now is your chance to have a say.

The Bank of England has launched a public consultation inviting people to help select the wildlife that will feature on the next series of UK banknotes. Following a public consultation last year, “nature” was chosen as the theme for the new notes, with a particular focus on UK wildlife.

A shortlist of 18 native species has been drawn up by a panel of wildlife experts – including CIEEM Past President and Fellow Professor Steve Ormerod – with the public invited to vote for their favourites before the consultation closes on 3 July 2026.

Species under consideration include:

  1. bottlenose dolphin
  2. Atlantic puffin
  3. Atlantic salmon
  4. brown hare
  5. barn owl
  6. basking shark
  7. European hedgehog
  8. common kingfisher
  9. buff-tailed bumblebee
  10. grey seal
  11. Eurasian curlew
  12. common frog
  13. pine marten
  14. great spotted woodpecker
  15. Emperor dragonfly
  16. red fox
  17. white-tailed eagle
  18. marsh fritillary butterfly

The chosen species will eventually replace the historical figures currently featured on Bank of England notes, although His Majesty King Charles III will continue to appear on the front of the notes. The new series will also incorporate updated security features.

For ecologists and environmental professionals, this is more than just a bit of fun. The wildlife that appears on our currency can help celebrate the UK’s remarkable biodiversity and raise awareness of the species and habitats that make our natural environment so special.

So, which species would get your vote? A charismatic puffin? A hardworking bumblebee? A much-loved hedgehog? Or perhaps a species that better reflects the ecological diversity of the UK?

Whatever your preference, CIEEM members may wish to take a few minutes to cast their vote and help decide which species will become some of the most widely seen ambassadors for UK wildlife.

You can take part in the consultation via the Bank of England’s “Help us celebrate the UK’s wildlife” consultation page. The consultation closes on 3 July 2026.